Crime a norm for bottle- o

( my work) … up until now my practices have been mostly assemblage, 3D sculptural work, but for the last two years I’m pretty excited with vector drawing.”

Gallery co- ordinator Angela Little said there was a good variety of work from various mediums on display.

“Everything is new and everything is different every time we do this … we’ve got various types of mediums from painting, drawing, works on paper, digital work to sculpture and ceramic forms and so forth,” she said.

“Normally it does have a good amount of people ( attending the annual exhibition) because 80 people always come and they all bring their friends, but in saying that we always want more.”

For more information about the exhibition, call 4772 7109. A TOWNSVILLE business says crime is so bad it considers itself “lucky” to go eight weeks without being robbed.

Two men remain on the run after an armed robbery at the West End Hotel’s Liquor Legends bottle shop.

About 8.15pm on Wednes- day, a man entered the Ingham Rd business and threatened a male staff member with a pair of scissors, demanding cash.

A short time later, a second man outside the store signalled to the man and both offenders fled the scene with the money.

A staff member at the bottle shop, who did not wish to be named, said this type of offending was common.

“This is what it’s like living in Townsville at the moment,” the staff member said.

“Every four to six weeks we get hit by crime. We had one a while ago where ( the offender) used a flammable liquid.

“We sometimes get lucky and go eight weeks without an incident. It is ridiculous but it’s how the town, and the suburb, is going.”

Townsville Crime Investigation Branch Detective Senior Constable Anthony Kirkham said the shop attendant was threatened but not injured.

“There were verbal threats towards the attendant but no actual physical injuries sustained,” Sen- Constable Kirkham said.

“Most victims in this situation are quite distressed by these type of robberies and we offer counselling and other services.”

Both offenders are described as Aboriginal men, aged about 20, with one wearing a black hooded top and one wearing a grey hooded top.

“We are currently conduct- ing an investigation to try and identify who the offenders are and we are calling on the public for their assistance. If they’d seen anything suspicious in the area at the time to contact Crime Stoppers with any information would be appreciated,” Sen- Constable Kirkham said.

Anyone with information that could help police with their inquiries should contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or Police Link on 131 444.